# data[].attributes.body
The two main characters of the story are Ponyboy and Johnny. In addition, the story talks about the two main rival gangs, Greasers and Socials.

# data[].attributes.body
Self-identity

Coming of Age

Family

Heroism

Individuality

# data[].attributes.body
Young adults are faced with decisions they must make that will affect them. In the process, they must discover who they are, their values, and who they want to be. Ponyboy was faced with the hardship of feeling unwanted, lost, and sadness with the death of his beloved friends. However, he discovered the importance of bettering who he was how the future. As students read, they reflect on the difficulties they may encounter and the impact their decision have.

# data[].attributes.body
The Outsiders is narrated by Ponyboy Curtis and takes place in Oklahoma. Two rival gangs are prominent in the area, Greasers and Socials. The Greasers belong to a “lower class” youth while the Socials are the “high class” rich youth of the area. After a heated argument between brothers Darry and Ponyboy, Ponyboy and Johnny decide to run away. While walking in a park, both boys are “jumped” by Socs. In the fight, Johnny kills one of the Socs while defending Ponyboy. Startled by what has happened, the two boys ask Dally for help and guidance; Dally gives the boys money, a gun, and tells them to stay at an abandoned church. One afternoon, after leaving the church and spending time with Dally, the boys drive past the abandoned church and see it is on fire. The boys stop to examine the fire. After hearing children are trapped inside the church, Ponyboy and Johnny go into save them. Both boys are taken to the hospital for injuries related to the fire. While Ponyboy only suffers mild injuries, Johnny has suffered a broken back and severe burns. The town has declared the boys heroes for saving the school children, but the Socs are still furious for the death of their friend killed by Johnny. Therefore, the two rival gangs prepare for a rumble. The greasers win the fight against the Socs. After the winning rumble, Dally and Ponyboy head to the hospital to visit Johnny. Johnny is struggling to stay alive; after seeing Dally and Ponyboy, Johnny dies. The boys are grief-stricken by the death of their friend. Out of a rush of emotions, Dally robs a store and is chased by cops until he is shot dead. It takes Ponyboy time to recover from the emotional hardship he has been through. However, he comes to the realization that fighting and anger will not fix anything. He decides to concentrate on school and himself.

# data[].attributes.body
Literature for young adults is important to maintain and/or gain appreciation for diversity, interest, entertainment, and personal connections.

# data[].attributes.body
The story is aligned with the 7th grade curriculum. It is used to compliment Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in the area of English Language Arts and Reading. The goal of the book is to encourage students to establish a purpose for reading, deepen understanding, make connections to personal experiences, and evaluate details to determine key ideas.

# data[].attributes.body
Google Images retrieved (2020, July 5).